Do you ever find yourself struggling to understand why your space looks so empty, or could it be the opposite? Maybe your space feels too cluttered. Overtime, design has been an ever-changing force. Furniture and the world of design has taken many approaches stylistically, from Chunky and Heavy to Airy and Light to Texture and all things in between. So, what is that good medium? What tells your story.
In the arts, Maximalism, a reaction against minimalism, is an aesthetic of excess. The philosophy can be summarized as "more is more", contrasting with the minimalist motto "less is more."
We likely will begin to ask ourselves early on, "Are we minimalist or maximalist?" We certainly don't want a home that feels empty and cold, but to over clutter can feel like the walls are closing in around you. It can be difficult to find the balance that defines you. Most often, we are in a store or shopping online and find ourselves buying everything we love and then quickly realizing there is no defined space for it. Thus, sometimes creating a forced maximalist living in a minimalist state of mind. A great example is the styling of a bookshelf. Are you the type that has objects placed across the entire surface or do you enjoy the look of simplistic placement? Think of your key words. Are they Calm, Clean, Quiet or are they collections, objects...
When figuring out who we are and how we want to be seen, research has shown that “People tend to be happier and more productive when they are able to convince others to see them as they see themselves." William Swann’s work on self-verification theory finds that being seen as we see ourselves is even more important to most people than is being seen positively.
If this is the case, is our home telling our true story. Does it make you feel whole and seen? There is no right or wrong answer. The idea is to define your preference and curate the home that will bring peace and positivity to your life. Otherwise, you will never be truly settled.
We tell our clients that selecting pieces for your home should be very personal. You want your home to feel like something you recognize when you walk in the door. This can relate to any budget. When selecting furniture, rugs, artwork and accessories ask yourself, "is this me?" Does this fit my lifestyle. Does this define my home. Accept that these answers may change through your life as your life story continues to unfold.
There is elegance in design at any budget. Regardless of your approach, there are endless possibilities.
Have fun finding your story!
XX
Élevé
Comments